The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-12
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.

Several weeks ago. when it announced
that the President had decided to make
short stop in this city on his Western trip,
the Journal promptly suggested some con-
certed action on the part of citizens looking to
his reception. In making that suggestion it
was added that, as the constitutional head of
the Nation and chief executive of all the peo-
pie the President of the United States
entitled to cordial reception, and that the
people should unite. regardless of politics, in
giving him hearty welcome. Within few
days action was taken by the Board of Trade
which led to formal invitation and its
ceptance by the President and the appoint
ment of a committee arrangements. The
committee was composed of citizens of both
political parties, and all its acts, far as
known, have been non partisan, as it was
expected and intended they should
be. The committee selected promi-
nent Republican, General Knefer, for
grand marshal, and his assistants will
include we'll gentlemen of both par
ties This is as it should be. The Board
is non partisan body, and it was understood
that the committee were to carry out that
idea in making arrangements for the recep-
ton. Thus far they seem to have done so in
good faith. The only interruption to the
original idea and programme of non partisan
reception has come from the Hendricks Club,
which has shown very decided disposition
to capture the whole affair and turn it into
a political demonstration Without author
ity from the Board Of Trade committee or
even consulting them. the club sent special
invitations to the Duckworth Club, of Gin
cinnati, and the Iroquois and Calumet Clubs,
of Chicago, all Democratic organizations, to
attend the reception. They have also passed
resolutions declaring their intention to act as
the Presidents "body escort" during his stay
here and as 'guard" at the State-house dur
ing the reception. All this Independent Of
the Board of Trade committee and in an
Extensively partisan spirit. Meanwhile,
Republicans are invited to contribute to the
expense of the reception and otherwise to its
success. All this action of the Hendricks
Club is out of order and in bad form. We
can make due allowance for the feeling of
ownership which Democrats have in President
Cleveland, but there are times and occasions
when men ought to rise above mere party
feeling and sink the partisan in the citizen.
Mr.. Cleveland is the constitutional President
of the United States and of all the people,
As Democrat, we oppose him, but as Pres-
dent we can welcome him. As Republicans
we have no use for Mr.. Cleveland, but as
American citizens we can unite in doing
honor to the incumbent Of the high office he
holds. This was the idea in which it was |
originally proposed to give the President a |
bipartisan reception and which he would |
and accept as such. We do not |
understand this trip of the President to be
an electioneering tour. We do not think he |
so regards it, or wishes it to be so regarded by
try to give it that aspect. We have no doubt |
he would prefer not to see a single Demo-
cratic club or committee, in organized po-
litical capacity, during his entire trip He |
sees enough of that at Washington. What he
wants now is to see the people, without party
labels or club uniforms Give the old man |
chance to do it. This will be his first visit
West, and indianapolis the first city he will
stop at. Let him see that as President of the
United States he can be welcomed by Indiana
Republicans we'll as by Indiana Democrats.
Republicans are willing to unite in extending
this kind Of a reception to the President if
Democrats will have it so, but il they insist
On turning it into partisan demonstration or
IN ovation to a Democratic President
we think they will make great mistake
This has been the tendency of the action of
The Hendricks Club, but not of the Board of
Trade committee. The chairman of this
committee says the Hendricks Club will not
be- permitted to the reception. At the
same time they have put wet blanket on the
special invitation to the Duckworth and Iro-
luis clubs by extending an open one to call
organized bodies, civil, military, political and
to participate in said reception"
This puts the affair the proper footing of
public reception to the President, where we
rust it will remain.
GREENsBURG, Penn, has had funny ex-
,erience in anti-monopoly gas-rates. A year